December 2007

For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC: Tax Incentives for Media Sales to Small Businesses, Women, Minorities
Media Maneuvers: Why the Rush to Waive Cross-Ownership Ban?
Copps: Tribune Suit vs. FCC Follows the Script
Martin Vote Faces Wall of Opposition =85 Literally
Tribune Spending $500M to Reduce Loans
FCC giving lump of coal to Hispanics for Christmas
Murdoch Said to Have Plan for Shake-Up at Dow Jones
Hearst After Hearst-Argyle Television Shares Again

BROADCASTING/CABLE
Blackburn=92s 70/70 Bill a Reality
Four Televangelists Submit Financial Data to Senate
Stevens Urges Senate to Pass Indecency Bill
NTIA Approves DTV-Converter Boxes from Magnavox, Philco

ELECTIONS & MEDIA
Political Spending Expected to Soar in 2008 Election Cycle
Cellphones Challenge Poll Sampling
Common Sense Media Grills Presidential Candidates

CONTENT
Newspapers Must Grow Digital Fast Enough to Offset Print Declines
Google=92s campaign to become a one-stop ad shop
House Bill Would Strengthen Intellectual-Property Crackdown

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
No backdoor immunity

QUICKLY -- Web Access and E-Mail on Flights;=20
Forecast: A brisk year for global media;=20
Cablevision Files to Bid in 700-MHz Auction

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

FCC: TAX INCENTIVES FOR MEDIA SALES TO SMALL BUSINESS, WOMEN, MINORITIES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission officially=20
asked Congress to pass a law that would give tax=20
incentives to media companies that sell=20
communications outlets to small businesses,=20
including women and minorities. That came in a=20
legislative proposal contained in the FCC's=20
just-released triennial report on the steps the=20
commission has taken to reduce the regulatory=20
entry barriers for entrepreneurs and small=20
businesses. The goal is to increase the diversity=20
of voices, to foster economic competition and to=20
promote the general welfare of the public. While=20
they supported the tax-incentive policy,=20
Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan=20
Adelstein dissented in part from a report that=20
they said shows that the FCC has not done much=20
for minorities or small businesses. Commissioner=20
Copps called it a "slapdash cataloging of=20
miscellaneous commission actions over the past=20
three years" and said the FCC failed both to meet=20
its obligation to report its actions and to take=20
any "meaningful" actions as it was. Commissioner=20
Adelstein used his dissenting statement as an=20
opportunity to criticize what he saw as the=20
inequity of the FCC's granting of cable=20
set-top-box waivers and its failure to grant=20
blanket waivers for smaller operators from its=20
viewability order. Both said the FCC's review of=20
its media-ownership rules has not sufficiently=20
addressed questions about the effects of=20
consolidation on minorities raised by the court=20
that remanded the rules for that review.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510431.html?rssid=3D193
* Triennial Report to Congress on Market Entry Barriers for Small Businesses
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-181A1.doc
* Commissioner Copps
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-181A2.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-181A3.doc

MEDIA MANEUVERS: WHY THE RUSH TO WAIVE CROSS-OWNERSHIP BAN?
[SOURCE: Center for American Progress, AUTHOR: Mark Lloyd]
[Commentary] Lloyd offers a history lesson for=20
those concerned about media ownership=20
concentration. He finds links between President=20
Franklin D. Roosevelt's challenge of=20
anticompetitive practises of the Associated Press=20
and the Chicago Tribune to recent action by the=20
Federal Communications Commission to lift the ban=20
on newspaper broadcast crossownership. In=20
Associated Press v. United States (1945), Supreme=20
Court Justice Hugo Black found that the First=20
Amendment =93rests on the assumption that the=20
widest possible dissemination of information from=20
diverse and antagonistic sources is essential to=20
the welfare of the public, that a free press is a=20
condition of a free society.=94 It would take the=20
FCC another 30 years to align itself with the=20
Supreme Court regarding media diversity and to=20
finally take action on FDR=92s concern over=20
newspaper ownership of broadcast operations by=20
instituting a ban on the cross-ownership. But the=20
newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership ban contained=20
a giant loophole. Those combinations which were=20
in existence at the time of the ban in 1975 would=20
be allowed to continue until there was a change=20
in ownership. But the newspaper/broadcast=20
cross-ownership ban contained a giant loophole.=20
Those combinations which were in existence at the=20
time of the ban in 1975 would be allowed to=20
continue until there was a change in ownership.=20
The Republican majority on the FCC, consisting of=20
Chairman Kevin Martin, and Commissioners Robert=20
McDowell and Deborah Tate, recently turned this=20
loophole inside out. Billionaire real estate=20
mogul Sam Zell is buying the Tribune Corporation.=20
And he wants to keep WGN(AM) and WGN-TV. Instead=20
of ruling that a new owner triggers the removal=20
of the =93grandfather=94 waiver because the Tribune=92s=20
ownership of a major radio, television, and=20
newspaper operation in the same market has gone=20
on long enough, the three conservatives at the=20
FCC ruled that the =93uniquely long-term symbiotic=20
relationship between the broadcast stations and=20
the newspaper warrants a permanent waiver.=94
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/12/media_maneuvers.html

COPPS: TRIBUNE SUIT VS FCC FOLLOWS THE SCRIPT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission Commissioner=20
Michael Copps is branding Tribune's decision to=20
file suit against the FCC's waiver decision an=20
effort scripted by the FCC majority to get rid of=20
the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership rule=20
altogether. He had predicted as much in his=20
statement opposing the waiver decision, which=20
passed by a 3-2 party line vote Nov. 30. "Tribune=20
apparently now has done their part," Copps=20
said. "The next step will be for the majority to=20
mount a lukewarm defense of the rule in court and=20
hope that the entire rule gets thrown out. In the=20
final act, the majority will say they tried to do=20
something more moderate, but the court simply=20
wouldn't allow it. And the curtain will fall to=20
thunderous applause from beltway insiders who=20
appreciate a clever script that only they can follow.=94
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510461.html?rssid=3D193

MARTIN VOTE FACES WALL OF OPPOSITION ... LITERALLY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Free Press is asking its members to post their=20
pictures on "The Wall," a site with 589 photos=20
and counting of people who "have taken a public=20
stand for better media." "People across the=20
country are building a wall to stop the FCC's=20
plan to let Big Media swallow up more local=20
stations," said Free Press. "FCC Chairman Kevin=20
Martin refuses to listen to the public, but with=20
your help, we can make a statement he can't=20
ignore. Our campaign is gaining momentum, but we=20
need you to join us in our stand against Big Media."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510536.html?rssid=3D193
* see The Wall
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/wall/

TRIBUNE SPENDING $500 TO REDUCE LOANS
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Media conglomerate Tribune Co. said Thursday it=20
plans to use $500 million in available cash to=20
reduce the amount it needs to borrow to close the=20
$8.2 billion buyout of the company by year's end.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071206/tribune_debt.html?.v=3D1
* Tribune to Reduce Deal Financing
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510059.html?rssid=3D193
* Tribune uses cash to reduce borrowing
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-071206tribune-borrowing,0,860...
.story?track=3Drss
* Obstacles lifted, Tribune Co. sale nears finish line
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Jim Puzzanghera and Thomas S. Mulligan]
Much of the cash will come from a $350-million=20
tax refund Tribune received in a settlement last=20
June with the Internal Revenue Service over the=20
1998 sale of a publishing subsidiary. The cash=20
infusion will reduce the total borrowing in the=20
second and final stage of the buyout to $3.7=20
billion from $4.2 billion. "This gives the=20
company a bit of breathing room and perhaps=20
alleviates a bit of the anxiety" for the bankers,=20
said Edward Atorino, publishing analyst with=20
Benchmark Co. in New York. The deal's closing=20
still is subject to a solvency opinion from an=20
outside appraiser, but people involved in the=20
transaction believe that Tribune will clear that hurdle.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-tribune7dec07,1,31415...
story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
* How Solvent Is Tribune Co.?
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Dennis K. Berman]
Deal Journal has covered hundreds of mergers and=20
acquisitions. We can't recall one that was=20
publicly contingent on the receipt of a solvency=20
opinion. Until now: Sam Zell's planned buyout of=20
Tribune Co. Solvency opinions typically are used=20
in highly leveraged financial transactions, to=20
test -- surprise -- a company's continuing=20
solvency. They are designed as a legal protection=20
for board members against the concept of=20
"fraudulent conveyance." This is a term most=20
often used in bankruptcy court, in situations=20
where assets are cash or are disbursed in a way=20
that is deemed unfair to creditors. These=20
opinions are notoriously easy to obtain, and=20
people close to the deal say they expect Tribune=20
to pass the test without problem. Still, the fact=20
that it exists is instructive of the nature of=20
the deal. When the original solvency opinion was=20
granted on May 9, company advisers Valuation=20
Research Corp. estimated Tribune's fiscal 2008=20
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and=20
amortization would be $1.42 billion, according to=20
SEC filings. Current fiscal 2008 analyst=20
estimates -- about seven months later -- show a=20
mean projection of $1.076 billion, according to Factset, or 24% lower.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119700155413516912.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ey_and_investing
(requires subscription)

FCC GIVING LUMP OF COAL TO HISPANICS FOR CHRISTMAS
[SOURCE: Scripps Howard News Service, AUTHOR:=20
Janet Murguia, National Council of La Raza]
[Commentary] Federal Communications Commission=20
Chairman Kevin Martin is trying to overhaul the=20
nation's media ownership rules. Martin is pushing=20
for greater media consolidation despite numerous=20
calls from congressional leaders and the=20
civil-rights community, including the National=20
Council of La Raza (NCLR), to deal first with the=20
disgraceful state of this ownership before=20
considering any rule change. Hispanic and=20
non-white ownership will be placed in greater=20
jeopardy under Chairman Martin's plan. Nearly=20
half of the stations owned by people of color are=20
in the top 20 markets, and none is among the top=20
four stations. Overall, 90 percent of all such=20
stations are ranked outside the top four. This=20
makes them targets for purchase and reduces=20
opportunities for people of color to buy=20
independently owned stations. Congress should=20
stop Martin from moving forward with new rules=20
until he can accurately account for how his=20
policies will affect minority ownership. Allowing=20
unchecked consolidation will only make a disgraceful situation even worse.
http://www.islandpacket.com/nation/opinion/story/99115.html

MURDOCH LINES UP HIS DOW JONES TEAM
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Frank Ahrens]
Rupert Murdoch is moving his people into place at=20
the helm of Dow Jones and its Wall Street Journal=20
one week before company shareholders are expected=20
to approve the takeover bid from Murdoch's News=20
Corp. Dow Jones announced that Richard F.=20
Zannino, the man who had a breakfast meeting with=20
Murdoch in March that led to the media mogul's=20
eventual purchase of Dow Jones, would resign.=20
When Zannino took over, he promised to raise the=20
value and stock price of the company, which had=20
been stuck at about $35 per share for more than a=20
year. The biggest boost Zannino was able to give=20
the company's stock was the buyout resulting from=20
the meeting with Murdoch. When Murdoch's=20
$60-per-share offer for the company became public=20
May 1, Dow Jones stock shot from $37.12 to $56=20
per share in one day, pushing as high as $61.76=20
per share in June. Times of London editor Robert=20
Thomson, Murdoch's adviser, will become publisher=20
of the Journal. News Corp. executive Les Hinton=20
will take Zannino's job as chief executive of Dow=20
Jones. At the same time, Murdoch's youngest son,=20
James, is set to step down as chief executive of=20
News Corp.'s British Sky Broadcasting network in=20
England to take over News Corp.'s entire Europe=20
and Asia operations, likely moving him ahead of=20
older brother Lachlan to eventually succeed their=20
father at the top of News Corp., the person said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/06/AR200712...
2523.html
(requires registration)
* Murdoch Said to Have Plan for Shake-Up at Dow Jones
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/business/media/07dow.html?ref=3Dtodays...
er
* Elevation of a Murdoch Son Suggests Plan of Succession
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/business/media/07murdoch.html?ref=3Dto...
spaper
* News Corp. Duo Set To Lead Dow Jones As Zannino Resigns
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119697034199116089.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
* James Murdoch expands role at News Corp
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/3d38ed38-a441-11dc-a28d-0000779fd2ac.html

HEARST AFTER HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION SHARES AGAIN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Jon Hemingway]
Hearst authorized subsidiary Hearst Broadcasting=20
to purchase up to 8 million shares of series-A=20
Hearst-Argyle Television stock through open=20
market and privately negotiated transactions. The=20
purchases will give Hearst Broadcasting an=20
approximately 82% holding in Hearst-Argyle=20
Television on a fully diluted basis, allowing=20
Hearst to consolidate Hearst-Argyle Television=20
for tax purposes. Hearst launched a tender offer=20
for shares of Hearst-Argyle Television it didn't=20
already own earlier this year but it was resisted.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510528.html?rssid=3D193

BROADCASTING/CABLE

NCTA APPLAUDS HOUSE BILL TO REPEAL 70/70 TEST
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
National Cable & Telecommunications Association=20
president Kyle McSlarrow on Thursday praised the=20
introduction of a bill that would repeal a law=20
that Federal Communications Commission chairman=20
Kevin Martin tried to use to hammer cable with=20
new regulations, perhaps including a la carte=20
requirements. The bill, introduced by Rep. Marsha=20
Blackburn (R-Tenn.), would repeal the so-called=20
70/70 test, which gives the FCC authority=20
=93promulgate any additional rules necessary to=20
provide diversity of information sources.=94 But=20
the agency first has to find that cable operators=20
with 36 channels pass 70% of households and 70%=20
of subscribers passed by such systems subscribe.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6510543.html?rssid=3D196
* Blackburn=92s 70/70 Bill a Reality
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510525.html

FOUR TELEVANGELISTS SUBMIT FINANCIAL DATA TO SENATE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Suzanne=20
Sataline suzanne.sataline( at )wsj.com ]
Four televangelists, under investigation for the=20
way they raise and spend money, did not turn over=20
financial information by Thursday, the deadline=20
set by the Senate Finance Committee, including=20
one preacher who challenged the committee to=20
subpoena him. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who=20
is leading the investigation, said in a statement=20
that he would wait for the ministers to send the=20
information voluntarily. But the refusal and slow=20
responses may force the senator into an=20
uncomfortable choice: should legislators force=20
religious entities to divulge financial details=20
they are not required by law to share, risking=20
the anger of religious voters who are being=20
heavily courted in the walkup to the presidential election?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119698869014716545.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)

STEVENS URGES SENATE TO PASS INDECENCY BILL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
As the opportunities for passing legislation this=20
year dwindle down to a precious few, Sen. Ted=20
Stevens (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Senate=20
Commerce Committee, called on his colleagues to=20
approve a bill that would give the Federal=20
Communications Commission express authority to=20
fine fleeting profanities and nudity, although it=20
would not direct the agency to do so. The bill,=20
the Protecting Children from Indecency=20
Programming Act (S. 1780), was introduced by Sen.=20
Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) after a Federal=20
Appeals Court found that the FCC had not=20
justified its decision to crack down on fleeting=20
profanities. The bill passed in the Senate=20
Commerce Committee but never got a floor vote. It=20
was only filed yesterday, a procedure that=20
signals the committee is seeking a floor vote,=20
though the majority leader controls the calendar.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510097.html?rssid=3D193
* Stevens Urges Passage of Decency Bill
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/06/daily.5/
* Sen Stevens press release
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=3DPressReleases.D...
il&PressRelease_id=3D249012&Month=3D12&Year=3D2007

NTIA APPROVES DTV-CONVERTER BOXES FROM MAGNAVOX, PHILCO
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The National Telecommunications & Information=20
Administration has approved two more models of=20
digital-TV-to-analog converter boxes to be=20
eligible for $40 government-subsidized coupons=20
the agency is supposed to be ready to hand out=20
starting Jan. 1. That brings to five the number=20
of approved boxes, which will not include bells=20
and whistles like digital-video-recorder=20
functionality because the government isn't=20
subsidizing anything above the basic model.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510331.html?rssid=3D193

ELECTIONS & MEDIA

POLITICAL SPENDING EXPECTED TO SOAR IN 2008 ELECTION CYCLE
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher]
Political advertising is expected to soar to $4.5=20
billion -- an all time high -- for the 2008=20
election cycle, according to a new report from PQ=20
Media. The spending represents a 43.3% increase=20
over the 2006 campaign cycle and a 64.1% increase=20
over the 2004 election. The surge in spending is=20
due to several factors including an "acrimonious=20
political environment," record fundraising, and=20
the number of candidates participating in races.=20
"A key trend driving growth is that this is the=20
first election since 1928 without a current=20
member of the executive branch running for=20
office, which has resulted in an unusually high=20
number of presidential candidates participating=20
in the primary season, as well as a discordant=20
political landscape on several fronts," Patrick=20
Quinn, president and CEO of PQ Media, said in a=20
statement. Broadcast and cable TV, radio,=20
newspapers, the Internet, out-of-home media, and=20
mobile and magazines are expected to make up the=20
bulk of spending. Projected ad spending for this=20
group is forecasted to reach $3.03 billion,=20
accounting for 67.2% of the total. Political=20
marketing services including direct mail, public=20
relations, and promotions & event marketing will=20
reach $1.48 billion or 32.8% of the spend.=20
Broadcast TV will take the lion's share of=20
political advertising, more than half of the total expected $4.5 billion.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003681885

CELLPHONES CHALLENGE POLL SAMPLING
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Megan Thee]
With more American households giving up their=20
old-fashioned land lines and using cellphones for=20
all calls, public opinion researchers are facing=20
a challenge of how to make sure they are getting=20
representative samples when conducting polls.=20
Since the 1970s, pollsters have relied on=20
sampling techniques that depend on talking with=20
people on their home land line telephones. For=20
the most part, the polls sample the public by=20
randomly dialing telephone numbers in every=20
region from a list of area codes and exchanges=20
known to be residences. The sample is weighted to=20
the results of the latest census. But cellphones=20
are not geographically based, forcing pollsters=20
to adjust their methods. In addition, a land line=20
often represents a household and a cellphone=20
often represents an individual. Pollsters say=20
they are also concerned about low response rates=20
among people reached on cellphones. Because=20
wireless carriers charge customers by the minute,=20
people may be less likely to agree to complete=20
lengthy cellphone surveys. The survey industry=20
is exploring reimbursing respondents for minutes=20
used. Researchers using computers to dial may=20
encounter legal complications. The Federal=20
Communications Commission requires an interviewer=20
to dial the number when calling a cellphone. No autodialers are allowed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/us/07polling.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)

COMMON SENSE MEDIA GRILLS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Common Sense Media, the nonprofit group that=20
advocates for parental oversight of children's=20
media consumption, polled the presidential=20
candidates on their views on key media topics,=20
including management of the Federal=20
Communications Commission and ownership of the media.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510072.html?rssid=3D193
* On the Media: Edwards Views Alcohol Ads as=20
Threat; Romney Sees Sea of Perversion
http://adage.com/campaigntrail/article?article_id=3D122418
* Common Sense on the Campaign trail
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/news/specials/presidentialquestionnaire

CONTENT

NEWSPAPERS MUST GROW DIGITAL FAST ENOUGH TO OFFSET PRINT DECLINES
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Nat Ives]
When most of the country's biggest newspaper=20
companies gave presentations at the annual UBS=20
media conference this week, the common vision=20
that emerged was digital revenue as fix -- not=20
way down the road but in time to stanch the=20
bleeding in traditional newsprint. The tactics=20
for getting there -- focusing on local=20
advertisers in print and online, offering new=20
editorial and advertising products in print and=20
online, partnering with digital powers, and buying online properties.
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=3D122432
* Newspapers hope for online growth in '08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071205/ap_on_hi_te/newspapers_online

GOOGLE'S CAMPAIGN TO BECOME A ONE-STOP AD SHOP
[SOURCE: Techland, AUTHOR: Yi-Wyn Yen]
Google has made no secret that it wants to be=20
more than just an online search advertising=20
company. But the Internet giant is finding out=20
how tough it is to break into the old-media=20
market. The company=92s attempt to roll its online=20
advertising tools into a single, ad-buying and=20
selling system to include TV, radio, and print is=20
taking longer than anticipated. UBS analyst Ben=20
Schachter estimates that advertisers could spend=20
$500 billion for centralized digital platforms=20
that track both online and offline advertising by=20
2024. Microsoft and Yahoo are also working on=20
creating similar software tools to integrate=20
across-the-board buying efforts. Google may know=20
how to rule the Internet with its AdWords system,=20
but it faces different challenges on Madison=20
Avenue. Among its biggest problems is learning=20
how to deal with big brand advertisers who are=20
wary about using a system that would give Google=20
access to a lot of valuable data. While=20
advertisers may be interested in spending less to=20
sell more, Google still must convince the=20
powerful ad agencies that a digital platform that=20
measures the effectiveness of an ad campaign is a good idea.
http://techland.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2007/12/06/googles-campaign-to-bec...
-a-one-stop-ad-shop/?section=3Dmoney_technology

HOUSE BILL WOULD STRENGTHEN INTELLECTUAL-PROPERTY CRACKDOWN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for=20
Intellectual Property (=93PRO IP=94) Act of 2007,=20
introduced Wednesday, would toughen criminal and=20
civil penalties for copyright and trademark=20
infringement, create an Office of the United=20
States Intellectual Property Enforcement=20
Representative (USIPER) at the White House and a=20
separate IP-enforcement division at Justice and=20
provide for IP officers to coordinate with other=20
countries. The crackdown includes everything from=20
fake drugs to bogus handbags, but it also=20
includes the movies, TV shows and other=20
increasingly digital -- and, thus, more easily=20
copied and distributed -- media content.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510280.html?rssid=3D193

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

NO BACKDOOR IMMUNITY
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] The Senate Judiciary Committee must=20
take a very critical look at a "compromise" to=20
protect telecom companies that assisted the Bush=20
administration's warrantless wiretapping. The=20
"compromise" on the table in the Judiciary=20
Committee, sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA)=20
would allow the federal government to replace the=20
telecom companies as defendants in those lawsuits=20
in most cases. Under Specter's bill, the=20
conditions for the federal government assuming=20
the defendant's role in a lawsuit would be that=20
the telecom service provider had a written=20
request assuring it that the activity was lawful=20
and approved by the president. However, the=20
American Civil Liberties Union has raised a=20
serious concern with Specter's plan: The=20
possibility that the government, as defendant,=20
might try to stymie the lawsuits by claiming=20
"state secrets." That loophole should be the=20
focal point of the committee's examination of=20
Specter's bill, possibly as early as today.=20
Americans deserve to know if their most=20
fundamental rights were trampled in an=20
overreaching program that knowingly bypassed the=20
required court approval. And, if so, they deserve=20
to know which companies may have participated in=20
it. Those lawsuits are vital in the search for truth.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/c/a/2007/12/06/ED4HTOQ...
DTL

QUICKLY

WEB ACCESS AND E-MAIL ON FLIGHTS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Susan Stellin]
Starting next week and over the next few months,=20
several United States airlines will test Internet=20
service on their planes. On Tuesday, JetBlue=20
Airways will begin offering a free e-mail and=20
instant messaging service on one of its planes,=20
while American Airlines, Virgin America and=20
Alaska Airlines plan to offer broader Web access=20
in coming months, probably at a cost around $10 a flight.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/technology/07air.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)
* JetBlue to offer some in-flight Wi-Fi service
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20071207/1b_jetblue07.art.htm

FORECAST: A BRISK YEAR FOR GLOBAL MEDIA
[SOURCE: Media Life, AUTHOR: Diego Vasquez]
The U.S. ad economy may be struggling but=20
globally the media business is in a major boom,=20
reflecting the growth of media economies of=20
emerging nations such as China. GroupM sees ad=20
spending around the world growing by 7 percent=20
next year, up from 6 percent in 2007, and it sees=20
an ever-larger share of that spending taking=20
place in countries that only a few years ago were=20
considered media backwaters.Indeed, it forecasts=20
that in the coming year fully 5 percent of global=20
ad spending will shift away from the developed=20
nations to the emerging economies. This would be=20
the largest shift ever, according to the author=20
of the report, Adam Smith. [No, not that Adam=20
Smith.] The biggest growth engine by far,=20
predicts Smith, will be China, which he believes=20
will account for 21 percent of new spending.=20
Russia and Brazil will account for 6 percent=20
each, while India will claim 3 percent.
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Media_economy_57/Foreca...
A_brisk_year_for_global_media.asp

CABLEVISION FILES TO BID IN 700-MHZ AUCTION
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Todd Spangler]
Cablevision Systems has put in the paperwork to=20
bid in the Federal Communications Commission=92s=20
700-Megahertz auction in January, joining fellow=20
cable operator Cox Communications. Comcast, Time=20
warner Cable and Charter Communications will not participate.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6510433.html?rssid=3D196
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And we are outta here. Have a great weekend --=20
don't overdo it on the egg nog, OK?
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Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
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